Yoram Moefana has been picked as France’s inside center for their World Cup opener against New Zealand on Friday.

In the absence of the injured Jonathan Danty, Moefana, 23, will wear the number 12 jersey.

Fly-half Matthieu Jalibert will partner Antoine Dupont in the halves, with regular France 10 Romain Ntamack missing due to injury.

Prop Cyril Baille is out of the Paris opener due to injury.

England has been declared ready for the “big dance.”
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“We’re going into this game against the best France team,” stated head coach Fabien Galthie on Wednesday.

Moefana, who has 18 caps, will play in midfield alongside the seasoned Gael Fickou, while Dupont will captain the team.

Lock Bastien Chalureau has been left out of the matchday 23.

After being called up to the France squad as injury cover on Monday, the 31-year-old denied being a racist.

Chalureau is appealing a six-month prison sentence for a 2020 racially motivated attack.

France is aiming for their first World Cup trophy after defeating Australia 41-17 in their final warm-up game.

Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Villiere; Jalibert, Dupont (captain); Wardi, Marchand, Atonio, Woki, Flament, Cros, Ollivon, Alldritt.

Mauvaka, Gros, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Boudehent, Lucu, Vincent, Jaminet are the replacements.